AFL player Tristan Xerri suspended for blood-wiping incident against Essendon captain Andrew McGrath
Consensus Summary
AFL ruckman Tristan Xerri was suspended for three matches after pleading guilty to serious misconduct for wiping blood from his nose onto Essendon captain Andrew McGrathâs face during a match on April 13, 2025. The incident occurred after Xerri was sledged with homophobic slurs and physically shoved by McGrath, leading to a moment of anger he described as a 'brain fade.' Xerri admitted to the AFL tribunal that he knew blood was on his hand and apologized to McGrath the following day, though the act was widely condemned as 'disgraceful.' The suspension was reduced from a potential longer ban due to his remorse and early plea, with the tribunal chair noting his hand was dangerously close to McGrathâs open mouth. The case drew comparisons to a 2002 incident involving Nathan Buckley, though Xerriâs actions were deemed more severe. Meanwhile, Essendonâs poor form continued, with coach Brad Scott emphasizing a long-term rebuild despite a 0-3 start. The AFL also noted an ongoing investigation into a separate homophobic slur allegation involving St Kilda player Lance Collard.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Tristan Xerri was suspended for three matches after pleading guilty to serious misconduct for wiping blood on Andrew McGrath's face during the North Melbourne vs Essendon match on 2025-04-13 at Docklands Stadium
- Xerri admitted to the AFL tribunal that he knew there was blood on his hand before wiping it on McGrath's face and apologized to McGrath the following morning
- The incident occurred after Xerri was sledged with homophobic slurs ('weak c-word', 'effing flopping c-word') by Essendon players and after he was physically shoved by McGrath
- Tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson KC labeled Xerri's act as 'disgraceful behaviour' and noted Xerri's hand was close to McGrath's open mouth
- Xerri claimed the incident was a 'brain fade' and he was defending himself against accusations of flopping
- Xerri will miss North Melbourne's next three games against Carlton, Brisbane, and Richmond
- The AFL match review officer Michael Christian referred Xerri directly to the tribunal for serious misconduct
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Xerri claimed McGrath's teammates called him a 'weak c-word' and 'effing flopping c-word', which resulted in him losing his cool after kicking a goal in the second quarter
- Xerri revealed he had spoken to a doctor regarding the risk of spreading an infectious disease with his actions
- The AFL is investigating an allegation St Kilda player Lance Collard used a homophobic slur in a VFL match against Frankston
- Former Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley was suspended for one game in 2002 for smearing blood on Geelong's Cameron Ling's guernsey
- North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson said he would make no comment until reviewing the match footage
- Former Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley was suspended for one game in 2002 for smearing blood on Geelong's Cameron Ling's guernsey, with Ling stating there was 'no malice' in Buckley's actions
- Essendon coach Brad Scott emphasized the club's long-term strategy despite a 0-3 start and a 17-game losing streak risk
- Former Essendon skipper Zach Merrett was limited to just 10 possessions in the match, his lowest since round one in 2018
- Dr Peter Larkins and Leigh Montagna called for Xerri to be suspended, with Larkins tweeting 'This needs definitive AFL response â cannot have this go without games sanction'
- The tribunal hearing was held a day earlier than normal due to the incident's urgency
- North Melbourne argued for a two-match suspension, while the AFL sought three games
- Gleeson noted that Xerri's hand was close to McGrath's open mouth, calling the 'look' of the act 'quite shocking'
- Xerri said he 'was getting called a weak c-word, a effing, flopping c-word' and that it was 'a lapse in judgment'
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 (ABC) states Xerri was suspended for three matches after pleading guilty, while Article 3 (ABC) and Article 4 (Guardian) describe the suspension as a result of the tribunal hearing, implying the suspension was finalized after the hearing rather than pre-determined
- Article 2 (THEAGE) mentions Xerri could face a 'multiple-week suspension' while Article 1 (ABC) and Article 4 (Guardian) confirm the final suspension was three matches
- Article 2 (THEAGE) states the incident happened after Xerri gave away a 100-metre penalty for remonstrating with the umpire, but this detail is not mentioned in Articles 1, 3, or 4
- Article 1 (ABC) and Article 4 (Guardian) both mention Xerri apologizing to McGrath the morning after, but Article 2 (THEAGE) does not include this detail
- Article 2 (THEAGE) states Essendon was 'outplayed by the Kangaroos for all but the final 20 minutes' while Article 1 (ABC) and Article 4 (Guardian) do not provide this specific timeframe
Source Articles
Banned Xerri reveals Essendon abuse leading to blood-wiping incident
Kangaroos ruckman Tristan Xerri gives evidence at the AFL tribunal as he accepts a suspension for rubbing blood from his nose on the face of Essendon captain Andrew McGrath....
âCannot have thisâ: Xerriâs ugly incident takes the focus off Essendonâs 0-3 start
Northâs first win over the Bombers since 2016 was marred by an ugly incident involving their inspirational giant, who is now staring down the barrel of a serious misconduct charge....
Roos star sent to AFL tribunal after alleged blood-wiping incident
North Melbourne ruckman Tristan Xerri is sent directly to the AFL tribunal on a charge of serious misconduct after he allegedly wiped blood on Essendon captain Andy McGrath's face....
AFL player Tristan Xerri banned for three games for âdisgracefulâ blood smear
Kangaroos star sanctioned for wiping blood on opponentâs face Xerri admits incident during Essendon game was a âbrain fadeâ North Melbourne star Tristan Xerri would have risked a heftier AFL ban had h...